Mike McCarthy, the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, has enjoyed a successful NFL career. Beginning his coaching journey in the early 1990s, McCarthy made a name for himself during his tenure as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Under his leadership, the Packers won a Super Bowl title in 2011, further cementing his reputation.
In 2020, he was appointed as the head coach of the Cowboys, where he continues to build a legacy as one of the most respected coaches in the league.
In terms of his legacy off the field, McCarthy is lucky to call Jessica Kress his wife. Jessica is a secretive woman, but we will break down everything there is to know about McCarthy’s mystery lady.
When Did Mike McCarthy and Jessica Kress Get Married?
Both McCarthy and Kress were married before tying the knot in 2008. McCarthy was married for the first time in 1989 to his high school sweetheart, Christine. Mike had his first daughter, Alex, before his amicable divorce with Christine in 1995. Jessica Kress divorced the esteemed Wisconsin businessman, William Kress, in 2005. The couple shares two sons, George and Jack.
William Kress is also involved in the sports world; he is the CEO of Green Bay Packaging and is on the Packers’ board of directors. At the same time, McCarthy was Green Bay’s head coach and married to his ex-wife. Awkward.
Once Jessica was single, she had a chat with John Schneider, her and Mike’s mutual friend. It wasn’t long before friends set up Kress and McCarthy.
Allegedly, the connection wasn’t immediate between the two. The lovebirds had to get to know each other through several dates before they saw they had a future and began dating in 2006.
McCarthy and Kress didn’t wait long to come together in holy matrimony. Jessica was roughly three months pregnant with their daughter Gabrielle when the couple tied the knot in a small ceremony with eight guests.
What Does Kress Do?
The newly married couple integrated their families. Both Mike and Jessica embraced their partner’s other children. They had their last daughter, Isabella, in 2011, completing the family of seven.
School: Mike McCarthy apologized for incident at stepson’s basketball game https://t.co/GixyN883gJ pic.twitter.com/dkp57mQlpL
— Sportress-Blogitude (@Sportress_Blog)
Kress, also known as Jessica Murphy, was born on February 9, 1972, in Wisconsin. Jessica grew up in a football-oriented family as her father, Tom Murphy, worked as an archivist for the Green Bay Packers. After attending school in her hometown, she pursued higher education at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Besides being married to McCarthy, a job of its own, and mothering seven children, Jessica also worked. It is unclear whether Kress continued to work after the married couple moved to Dallas, but while in Green Bay, she was a dedicated elementary school teacher.
Giving back wasn’t something Jessica did at work. She is also committed to philanthropy with her husband, Mike. The couple was well-known in Green Bay for their generosity.
Some examples of their thoughtfulness include a pledge and donation of $100,000 to the Green Bay Police Foundation, donations, and volunteering with the Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.
MORE: Mike McCarthy’s Net Worth
The McCarthy Family Foundation has a global impact, focusing its work in Wisconsin but also assisting people in other states and countries.
A better question to ask is what Kress doesn’t do. She supports her husband through the highs and lows that come with being associated with the Cowboys.
Mike McCarthy's wife Jessica Kress entered the picture by marrying the Packers head coach on March 15, 2008 in Maricopa County, Arizona. The wedding, whichttps://t.co/qb4uMHfnyfhttps://t.co/CMf7CF4TMPhttps://t.co/olAnBC4Ow8https://t.co/cqsMvnlI4U
Nationals at Orioles 5/8/17 pic.twitter.com/ORLUAXrlbV— Ἀναξίμανδρος (@miletusapollo)
Kress is also a professional, a mother, and an altruist. She truly is the better half.
Kress isn’t active on social media, and the couple doesn’t share much about their marriage or family, but it appears they’re happy. It seems best to operate with “no news is good news” with these two.